Everything you need to know about taking part in Birmingham Cocktail Weekend!
SUMMER: 11–14 JULY / WINTER: 24–27 OCT
BUY A TICKET
First things first, head over to Eventbrite and buy yourself an e-ticket. Pricing starts at just £10 + booking fee. You must be over the age of 18 to participate in Birmingham Cocktail Weekend.
VISIT THE HIGHLAND PARK HUB AT HOTEL DU VIN
Once the festival starts, you simply take your e-ticket down to The Highland Park Hub at Hotel du Vin. Be sure to check the opening hours and full details of the Hub here.
It’s at The Hub that your BCW2023 adventure really begins. Show your e-ticket to our friendly team and they will issue you with your exclusive wristband and a super handy guidebook.
Pop your wristband on your wrist and then you’re nearly ready to begin! Before you set off on your cocktail journey, head over to meet our friends from Highland Park. They’ll introduce you to the delights of this award-winning Single Malt Whisky.
SIP £5 SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
After a little complimentary dram at The Hub, it’s time to take a selfie (or three) then head to the bar at Hotel du Vin to sample your very first signature cocktail.
Your wristband gets you access to a £5 signature cocktail at every participating venue. Yes you did read that right – just £5! With cocktails at our venues often normally priced at over £10 a pop, you’re getting fantastic value even if you just fancy a couple of drinks. Simply show your wristband at each bar to gain access to their £5 signature cocktail, exclusively available to festival go-ers.
SIP MORE £5 SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
We don’t tell you exactly which drink is where – that’s part of the adventure of BCW2023, think of it as a chance to try something different! Keep an eye on our Facebook Page, if you want to see the full line-up of drinks before the festival begins.
Whilst you’re sipping that first signature cocktail, have a read of the guidebook. In it you’ll find a handy map, all the details of the participating venues plus the low-down on all our food offers and events. Some people like to follow a set route but you can plan as much or as little as you like. Venues that are further away from The Hub tend to be a little less busy, so if you fancy a quieter time, head out and explore.
If you’re looking for some more inspiration then be sure to subscribe to our e-news as we’ll be sharing some new cocktail tour itineraries nearer to the festival.
VOTE FOR THE BEST COCKTAIL OF BCW2023
You might see other festival go-ers scribbling down notes in the back of their guidebook. That’s because at the end of the festival you’ll be invited to vote for the ‘Best Cocktail of Birmingham Cocktail Weekend’. Make sure whoever purchases your tickets looks out for that email and forwards on the voting link to anyone else in the party.
The winner of the public vote receives a much-coveted trophy, and some major bragging rights! You can read about our winner in 2022, and take a look at the ‘Ultimate BCW Champion’s List’ here.
HAVE A FEAST
Believe it or not, BCW is not just about cocktails, your wristband also gives you access to some fantastic food offers. Every year our participating venues put on a whole host of deals to keep you fuelled up over the long weekend. Take a look at the 2023 festival food offers here. You don’t need to make any reservations for drinks (although you’re welcome to do so if you prefer, and it’s advisable if you’re in a large group) but we do recommend booking tables for lunch and dinner.
ATTEND AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT
We put on a whole host of awesome events, exclusively for wristband wearers. This year we have everything from masterclasses and tastings to dining experiences and takeovers. Take a look at our programme of events for the 2023 festival here.
Our events often sell out in advance of the festival so if you see something you fancy, be sure to book early.
So there you have it, your guide to BCW2023. Remember, you can dip into the festival as much or as little as you like. Your wristband is valid for all three days; from when the first venue opens on Friday until the last venue closes on Sunday. That means you can join us for just a couple of signature cocktails on Friday night or you can spend the whole weekend exploring the city, trying something new and having a blast!
See you from 7–9 July 2023!
